Justice News

Lower Brule Man Sentenced for Abusive Sexual Contact

United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Lower Brule, South Dakota, man convicted of Abusive Sexual Contact of a Person incapable of Consent was sentenced on October 29, 2018, by U.S. District Judge Roberto A. Lange.

Bates Hood, Jr., age 41, was sentenced to 36 months in federal prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100.

Hood was indicted by a federal grand jury on September 12, 2017. He pled guilty on August 2, 2018.

The conviction stemmed from an incident on January 31, 2016, when Hood knowingly engaged in, and attempted to engage in, sexual contact with an individual who he knew at the time was incapable of appraising the nature of conduct and physically incapable of declining participation.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Lower Brule Agency. Assistant U.S. Attorney Troy R. Morley prosecuted the case.

Hood was immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.